🌿 Folk Prescriptions

In Chinese legends, Peng Zu lived for 800 years, the longest-lived person. Whether he truly lived 800 years remains unverifiable and hard to believe. However, historical records in *Guoyu* and *Records of the Grand Historian* confirm Peng Zu was a real figure renowned for longevity. In the *Biographies of Immortals* by Ge Hong, a medical expert from the Jin Dynasty, Peng Zu was given a special biography. The text states that by the end of the Shang Dynasty, Peng Zu had already lived over 700 years without aging, and the King of Yin invited him to share his secrets of longevity.
Peng Zu’s longevity-preserving methods fall into four main categories.
First, physical exercise: He rose early each morning, sat upright, rubbed his eyes, massaged his body, tapped his lips, swallowed saliva, focused on the dantian (lower abdomen), and took dozens of deep breaths. Then he stood up, performed bear walks and bird stretches, practiced Qi-gong breathing techniques—making him the earliest founder of Qigong. His fitness routine was later compiled into *The Guidebook of Peng Zu*.
Second, mental cultivation: He never cared about fame or profit, avoided material indulgence, maintained a tranquil and optimistic mindset. When the King of Yin gifted him vast wealth, he used it to help the poor and kept nothing for himself. Free from the burdens of praise or blame, he consistently maintained a positive mental state.
Third, lifestyle habits: He adhered to nature, avoided self-harm. In winter, he kept warm; in summer, he sought shade. He followed seasonal rhythms, ensuring comfort and health. He valued balance between work and rest, avoided overexertion of the mind, wore simple clothes without extravagance, and regulated diet and sexual life appropriately. He said: “All such practices are like water—used excessively becomes harmful.”
Fourth, harmonious and moderate marital life: He believed desire cannot be suppressed; male-female union is like heaven and earth joining—yin and yang together form the Dao, while imbalance leads to illness. Suppressing desire violates natural laws and damages health; harmonious sex enhances mental vitality. Yet, excess is equally harmful. He emphasized: During extreme cold, heat, strong winds, heavy rain, solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, earthquakes, or thunderstorms—when heaven and earth interact and yin-yang are disrupted—people should avoid intercourse. Nor should sex occur after meals, during strong emotions like joy, anger, fear, or intoxication, as it harms both body and offspring. Understanding these principles allows couples to avoid harm, ensuring mutual health and longevity. Xia Lin